bramski500
Novice Member
Let's do this! Seen the popularity of this award winning speaker, I am surprised there is not that much info online on which solid state amp to pair them with. They have a sensitiy of 91dB so they are easy to drive, but I need more tips for my situation. With Covid I can't audition at the moment and also, I don't trust the audioshop too much as they just want to sell you what they have in stock - the old "I have them at home too" story
So here I am, looking at the interwebz for unbiased advice!
Here's my listening situation:
So whilst reading everything I could find online I narrowed down the search to the following shortlist, but ofcourse open to other suggestions. Budget is around EUR 1,500 for the amp, but willing to stretch the budget if the quality difference is worth it. From reviews and forums I think the consensus is that Focal as usual should not be paired with a "lean" integrated amp.
(all power below is at 8Ohm)
So there you have it. As said, I am worried about the Watts seen my nearfield Focal Alpha studio monitors are a 100 Watt each. Open to other suggestions more or less within budget. I know Naim is the sisterbrand of Focal but it's too expensive and I really think the Atom with 2x40 Watt is too little for the room as well as the Atom being something that might be not usable in say 10 years any longer? They are on sale now btw). I looked into the Peachtree Nova 150 as well, connecting an ipad with a cable would be cool, but i read they are too thin sounding. Not interested in tubes. I know above shortlist is all quite different (not even sure about the classes), but please do shoot if you feel anything else works fantastic for these budget Focals.
Many thanks for your comments, really appreciate it as I am lost in the swamp of amp pairing;-) (and yes, I realize auditioning them in my room will be the best solution, but for now I'm looking fwd to your comments or suggestions! THANK YOU!
Here's my listening situation:
- It's a fairly large, rectangular room: 11m x 7m, with high ceilings of 4m, while I am not looking to fill the room everywhere with a crazy loud volume (neighbors above won't appreciate), I do like a great stereo image or just enjoy the sound when not exactly in the sweet spot.
- The speakers will be placed beside the tv which is not in the middle of the room (more into the corner - yes aware of bass issues to avoid). There is a rug and couch in the sweet spot. Floor is wooden.
- I am looking at moderate/normal listening levels to ENJOY music, not for a constant critical listen. One of my main wishes is to have a really nice controlled but deep sound at normal levels, especially the bass while having that great imaging. BUT also to crank it all up once in a while (hence my fear 2x60W is too little? Or is that fear not needed with these high sensitivity speakers?)
- I listen to all kinds of different music, from lots of electronica (yes including techno, so plenty of rhythm), to piano music, ambient, rock, indie, even metal. But electronic music will make up most of it honestly. I am allergic to sharpness in speakers/music (yes I know Focal has a reputation of being clear;-)
- I found that the large room kind of serves as a bass cabinet (I think), so that is why I like the freq response of the Focal Chora's to be pretty nice enough at 48Khz, to avoid boominess, if that makes sense.
- I produce electronic music myself and have the Focal Alpha 65's which are 100Watt nearfield monitors with a 6.5 bassdriver. I mention this as I am worried about which Watt to hook the Focals up too, while they have a great sensitivity of 91dB, which I read is important to have when listening at lower levels of volume. I don't want an amp that only opens up the speakers at louder levels.
So whilst reading everything I could find online I narrowed down the search to the following shortlist, but ofcourse open to other suggestions. Budget is around EUR 1,500 for the amp, but willing to stretch the budget if the quality difference is worth it. From reviews and forums I think the consensus is that Focal as usual should not be paired with a "lean" integrated amp.
(all power below is at 8Ohm)
- Marantz PM-7000N (2x60W - includes DAC and streamer) - 1100 EUR.
- Maratntz PM-8006 (2x 70W + separate streamer NA6006 - all in 1600 EUR, or strech it with the NA8006 to 2000)
- Hegel H95 (2x60W - includes streamer) - 1700 EUR - read they sound a little warm for Hegel (which is cool)
- Hegel H120 (2x75W - includes streamer) - 2500 EUR way above budget - is the 15W extra worth it?
- Yamaha AS-801 (2x100 W) (and add a streamer though there is a DAC built in?) - 1000 EUR (+streamer)
- Yamaha R-N803D -900 EUR (2x100 W)
- Yamaha AS-1200 -(2x90W) - all analogue so no streamer - 2000 EUR. Intrigued by this beast.
So there you have it. As said, I am worried about the Watts seen my nearfield Focal Alpha studio monitors are a 100 Watt each. Open to other suggestions more or less within budget. I know Naim is the sisterbrand of Focal but it's too expensive and I really think the Atom with 2x40 Watt is too little for the room as well as the Atom being something that might be not usable in say 10 years any longer? They are on sale now btw). I looked into the Peachtree Nova 150 as well, connecting an ipad with a cable would be cool, but i read they are too thin sounding. Not interested in tubes. I know above shortlist is all quite different (not even sure about the classes), but please do shoot if you feel anything else works fantastic for these budget Focals.
Many thanks for your comments, really appreciate it as I am lost in the swamp of amp pairing;-) (and yes, I realize auditioning them in my room will be the best solution, but for now I'm looking fwd to your comments or suggestions! THANK YOU!
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